Ornamental plaque.



R. W. SMITH. ORNAMENTAL PLAQUE. APPLICATION man Dec. 4, 1914.

ll. Patented June 15, 1915.,

ROSE W. SMITH, OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

onrraiunnran' lanacion.

Maasai,

appiication alec December e, 1era. serial uoja'zaas.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that il, Ross W. SMrrH, a citizen of the United States, and resident oiI Lexington, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Ornamental Plaques, of .which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification, like characters 0n the drawings representing like parts.

This invention aims to provide a novel., ornamental plaque that may be used for ornamental purposes only or, and preferably, as in the shape of a useful tray or other article.

Prior to my invention it has been common to provide plaques of this nature by superposing two plates of glass, of desired size and shape, with interposed butterflies, for example, and various grasses and flowers, with a backing of milkweed scattered throughout the area of the plaque, the whole being pressed together by the glass plates at opposite sides, and suitably framed or arranged in a rim or carrier accordingto the particular" use for which it is desired.

The milkweed as a background is quite transparent, the same presenting an appearance somewhat like frosted glass when presented to the light, the ornamental or decorative elements resting upon this background but, because heavier or more substantial than the milkweed, pressing the latter back to a level below that of the decorative elements.

To improve the decorative eii'ecty of plaques or panels of this character my invention comprehends a novel background, composed of closely arranged, substantially parallel fibers, that form a substantially translucent background 4for the decorative elements and, by reason of close contact with the glass plates at either side, cause the decorative elements to be apprcciably embedded therein, to produce a shaded or deepening effect that tends to bring out the decorative features and add to the strength and beauty of the plaque'as a whole. This will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, illustrating one embodiment of this invention, in which- Figure 1 represents in face View a decorative panel, framed to stand on a mantel or other convenient support, Fig. 2, a cross section on the dotted line, Fig. 1, and Fig. 3, an enlarged detail, illustratingl the shadow- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 15, illl.

producing depression of the decorative ele ments inthe fibrous backlng.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Figs. 1 and 2,'the two plates oi' glass or other suitable material of desired transparency or translucency are indicated at 3, l, and the space between them is illed and practically determined by a background filling 5 (Fig. 3) of closely arranged, substantially parallel ibers. rlhese may be combed wool or cotton, the latter either naturalor mercerized, or, and preferably, may be what is known in the art as spun silk tops. The latter present a silky appearance, the fibers of which are substantially parallel though more or less wavy, and when used to substantial thickness, as in the drawings, present a practically translucent background but with all the variegated effects due to the wavy lines and differences in density. The eii'ect, except as to color, very much resembles whatis known as deep agate glass.

`It is of course, to be understood that these fibers are in an unwoven condition. Overlying that face of the backing which is next the under side of the top glass are the ornamental or decorative elements, herein. shown as butterflies 6 and branches or members 7,

8, oi delicate or dainty grasses and flowers or the like. By pressiriogr the two glass plates together with the translucent, fibrous back ing and the superposed decorative elements between them, the fibrous backing is caused f substantially to fill the space between the plates of glass, lying in full and fair contact with the inner face of eachglass plate, with the decorative elements depressed or embedded therein at the face next the top glass, whereby the decorative elements are strengthened and brought into greater reliet and prominence by the shading due to the depressions they themselves make in the fibrous backing. l/Vhcn viewing the plaque, the backing lying close against the top glass throughout substantially the entire area of theplaque, produces an effect that can not be had by any form of backing that does not completely fill the ,space between the glass plates. Each member ot the decorative elements, however minute it may be, while it is v lying close against the top glass and thereby 4 from the ,different partielle 0 more ininute decorative elements heilig, of course, prepertionately less than that p duced by the heavier and nger elements,

ln the deeeretive panel er plaque hel-ein disclosed there is a. translucent 'layer of ,Y min-silk top fibers rsubstentielly parallel t.1oughoxt hut having in mass, seperated areas presenting e marked appearanee,said bers being in lateral Contact and the layer being ef :nich depth and character as te exclude light in a marked degree when presented theretosaid layer being 1n close Contact wet-l;

the underside of seid transparent duce, and the .said fibers partially sind readilyvreliecting light, hut with s softened, brokengefeet el blended li ht and shade tlie surface of the layer;

The effect of the Whole is to produce a highly satisfectoryresult, wherein lightness sind deintiness of decorative effect 1s combined with en apparent firmness and strength that can only ge with a translucent, fibrous backing of the character described.

9, which may be purely ornamental, as for 'un ornamental laque, or, if desired? formed in the shape ofps rim, with or without hendles, for seine useful purpose.

I claim#- y1. In va decorative panel having e. 'transparent face, n translucent layer ef substantially parallel hers, 1n close lateral relation to prevent the free passage of lightjg sind ef such depth :nd character es te exclude light in a marked degree when presented thereto,

ln use the glass :platesP with the betweenl decorations, :are suitably mounted in e frame seid layer heing in close Contact with the underside of said transparent face, and the bers thereof partially and readily reflectinglight, but with s softened, broken. effect of blended light and shudez and superposed,

decorative elements overlying said translucent layer, and depressed therein by the overlying; transparent faire, thereby to cause shadeprodueing depressions following the outlines of seid decorative elements.

2. En n, decorative panel havin parent fece, d translucent tsp fibers substantially but having in ing a marked a being 1n close lateral relation to prevent the free passage of light, and the layer bein.J of such depth and character as to exclude light in e marked degree when presented thereto, seid layer being in close Contact with the underside of said transparent face, and the said fibers partially reflecting light, but with e, softened, broken elect of blended light ofthe surface o the layer, and superposed, decorative elements overlying said translucent layer and depressed therein hy the overlying transparent fece, thereby to cause shadepredneing depressions following the outlines of said decorative eeinents ln testimony whereof, l have signed my neme to this speciieation, in the presence ef :1 trans layer o spun silk parallel throughout mess separated areas resent- Atwo subscribing Witnesses.

ROSE W. Shi-KTH.

lJl'rixriesses e Evnnwr Einem, Lnnwimern lire/Henne wavy appearance, said fibers 

